Lawyer
C.E. Mene, the defence counsel for the former NIA boss, Yankuba Badjie, have
intimated to the court that he would not hesitate to file contempt of court
proceedings against Sarjo Barrow of Star FM Radio station if he continues to
misrepresent the evidence before the public, particularly evidence relating to
his client (Yankuba Badjie).
Lawyer
Mene made this disclosure yesterday during the court session in the criminal
matter involving the state against the former NIA boss and eight others charged
with multiple offences including conspiracy to murder, murder, conspiracy to
commit misdemeanor, assault causing actual bodily harm among others.
At
the resumption of the matter before the presiding judge, Justice Kumba
Sillah-Camara of the High Court in Banjul, lawyer C.E. Mene expressed concern
about the manner some outfit, particularly Sarjo Barrow of Star FM radio
station, have been engaging on misrepresenting the evidence to the public.
Lawyer
Mene said the evidence of the witnesses that testified before the court were
misrepresented by Sarjo Barrow, noting that before his arrival at the court he
got complaint from two of his colleagues
that he Sarjo Barrow had distorted and deliberately misrepresented the
evidence led before the court.
Lawyer
Mene explained that Sarjo Barrow’s misrepresentation of the evidence led before
the court is deliberate attempt to expose his client to hostility.
He
argued that though the media has the duty to inform the public but the media
should not be used to misinform and misrepresent evidence led before to the
public.
He
urged media practitioners to report correctly what transpired in the court and
admonished those who misrepresent evidence, saying he would not hesitate to
file contempt of court proceedings against Sarjo Barrow if he continued to do
so.
For
her part, the presiding judge, Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara disclosed that it
was sub-judicial for Sarjo Barrow to have been engaged in such an act.
She
admonished reporters to be careful of what they present to the public and urged
them not to misrepresent what transpired in the court before they would land
themselves into trouble.
Justice
K.S. Camara cautioned that journalists have a duty to clarify any ambiguity in
their reports before publication.
Justice
K.S. Camara pointed out that the accused persons are still presumed innocent
until proven guilty.
She
disclosed that it was good that the defence counsel brought the matter to the
attention of the court.
